Tom Johnson

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Alternative Title:
Thomas Christian Johnson

Tom Johnson, (Thomas Christian Johnson), Canadian ice hockey player and coach (born Feb. 18, 1928, Baldur, Man.—died Nov. 21, 2007, Falmouth, Mass.), played 15 seasons (1947–48, 1949–63) for the Montreal Canadiens, during which time he helped lead the team to six Stanley Cup titles (1953, 1956–60) with his superb puck handling; he received the Norris Trophy in 1959 as the National Hockey League’s best defenseman. Johnson played for the Boston Bruins from 1963 until injury ended his playing career in 1965. He coached the Bruins to the 1972 Stanley Cup title. Named vice president of the team in 1979, he remained in the Bruins’ front office until his retirement in 1998. Johnson was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1970.